Chicken coop



o. F. CARPENTER Dec. 9, 1958 CHICKEN COOP Filed June 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l WN NN INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 9, 195.8

. o.. F. CARPENTER 2,863,691

CHICKEN coop Filed June 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \9 N ffii I'AI

- N INVENTQR @E Ca, r/ve nier N N ATTORNEYS CHICKEN COOP Ose F.Y Carpenter, Brightwood, Va.

Application June 25, 1956, Serial No; 593,728

1 Claim. (Cl. 2923-340)- The present invention relates to chicken coops, and more particularly to an improved top panel and closme structure therefor.

The primary object of the invention is to provlde a top structure for chicken coops which will withstand severe treatment and permit the stacking of heavy loads thereon without damage to the coop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chlcken coop having an automatically latching top closure member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chicken coop in which the closure member is supported agalnst breakage when its in fully opened position.

A still further object `of the invention is to provide a chicken coop in which the top forming rods are protected against breakage and other damage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chicken coop of the class described above which is inexpens1ve to manufacture, simple to use, and completely effective in its operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specication when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the invention shown partly broken away and in section for clarity of illustration.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal crosssection taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse crosssection taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssection taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse crosssection taken along the line 6 6 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-section taken along the line 7 7 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of keeper plate.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse crosssection taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral 20 indicates generally a chicken coop constructed in accordance with the invention.

The chicken coop 20 includes a conventional bottom framework and bottom panel (not shown), a plurality of upstanding spaced apart parallel rods 21 mounted in the bottom framework and extending upwardly therenited Patent f" 2,863,69l ce Patented Dec. 9, 1958 from, and an upper panel construction generally indicated at 22.

Referring now particularly to Figure 1, it will be seen that the upper panel 22 includes a pair of spaced apart parallel longitudinal frame members 23 and 24 joined at their opposite ends by spaced apart parallel transverse frame members 25 and 26. The longitudinal frame members 23 and 24 are slotted at each end, as indicated at 27, and the transverse frame members 25 and 26 carry tongues 28 on their opposite ends engaging in the slots 27. Securing pins 29 extending through and lock each of the tongues 28 in the slots 27.

A second pair of longitudinal frame members 30 and 31 are positioned parallel to and inwardly spaced from the longitudinal frame members 23 and 24, respectively. The longitudinal frame members 30 and 31 are provided ,I at their opposite ends with tongues 32 which are secured to the transverse frame members 25 and 26 by means of pins 29 extending therethrough.

A plurality of spaced apart parallel rods 33 have one end thereof mounted in a socket 34 in the longitudinal frame member 2.3, and the other end thereof mounted in a socket 35 in the longitudinal frame member 24 with the medial portions thereof passing through bores 36 and 37 in the frame members 30 and 31, respectiveiy. The rods 33 are divided into relatively equal groups with `one group being adjacent each of the transverse frame members 25 and 26.

A plurality of somewhat shorter rods 3S extend from sockets 34 in the frame member 23 to sockets 39 in the frame member 30 in spaced parallel relation to each other and to the rods 33 lying between the groups of rods 33 adjacent the transverse frame members 25 and 26.

A rod 40 is positioned in spaced parallel relation to the. rods 38 adjacent one of the rods 33 of the group of rods 33 at the end of the coop 2t) carrying the frame member 25. The rod 40 extends from the frame member 23 to and through the vframe member 36B having a latch bolt end 41 formed thereon projecting inwardly of the frame member 30. The latch bolt end 41 of the rod 40 is outwardly bevelled as at 42, for reasons to be described.

A plurality of spaced apart parallel rods 43 extend between sockets 35 in the frame member 24 to sockets 44 in the frame member 31. The rod members 43 are somewhat shorter than the rod members 33 and are positioned between the two groups of rods 33 in aligned relation to the rods 33. It should be noted as particularly shown in Figures 2 and 3, that the rods 33, 38 and 43 engage the frame members 23, 24, 30 and 31 substantially below the center line thereof.

A steel rod 45 is positioned between the group of rods 33 adjacent the transverse frame member 26 and the aligned rods 38 and 43. The steel rod 45 extends between the frame members 23 and 24 piercing the frame members 30 and 31, as best illustrated in Figure l, and as shown in Figure 3, is positioned substantially above the mid-point of the frame members 23, 24, 3i) and 31, and above the rods 33, 38 and 43.

A relatively short tie bar 46 is positioned between the frame members 30 and 31 adjacent the transverse frame member 25 so that each of the rods 33 adjacent the frame member 25 extend in piercing relation therethrough. The tie bar 4.6 secures the medial portions of the rods 33 together to provide additional strength. lt should be noted that the tie bar 46 has its upper surface positioned substantially below the upper surface of the frame members 23, 24, 3i) and 31.

A tie bar 47 is positioned between the frame members 30 and 31 with the rods 33 adjacent the transverse frame member 26 extending in piercing relation therethrough. The tie bar 47 has its upper surface substantially below the upper surface of the frame members 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31. The purpose of the tie bar 47 is identical to that-of the tie bar 46.

A door, generally indicated at 48, is positioned between the frame members 30 and 31 and the two groups of rods 33. The door 48 consists of a pair of spaced apart parallel frames 49 and 50 each having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the steel rod 45, as shown in Figure 1. The opposite ends of the frame members 49 and 50 are transversely rabbeted on their underside as at 51 to permit the frame members 49 and 50 to rest on one of the rods 33 with the top surfaces of the frame members 49 and 50 flush with the top surface of the frame members 23, 24, 30 and 31.

A plurality of spaced apart parallel rods 52 extend from sockets 53 in the frame member 49 to sockets 54 in the frame member 50, as best illustrated in Figure 1.

The frame member 50 is provided with a socket 55 on the side thereof adjacent the frame member 31 in surrounding relation to the steel rod 45. A coil spring 56 is positioned about the steel rod 45 with one end thereof engaged in the socket 55, and the other end thereof engaging against the inner surface of the frame member 31 so as to normally bias the frame member 50 away from the frame member 31.

The frame member 49 adjacent the end thereof carrying the rabbet 51 is provided with a socket 57 having a U-shaped keeper plate 58 positioned therein. Opposite winged portions 59 and 60'from the keeper plate 58 are reverted about the upper 'and lower surfaces of the frame member 49 and are pressed together to lock the keeper plate 58 in the socket 57. The keeper plate 58 is adapted to engage over the latch end 41 of the rod 40, as best seen in Figure 6, to lock the door 48 in closed position.

The door 48 is sufciently narrower than the space between the frame members 30 and 31 to permit the door 48 to be moved transversely against the tension of the spring 56 to release the keeper plate 58 from the latch end 41 of the rod 40 to permit the door 48 to be opened. In closing the door 48, the door can be dropped and will automatically move against the tension of the spring 56 under impetus of the bevel surface 42 so as to engage over the latch end 41 of the rod 40 whereupon the spring 56 will move the door 48 into fully latched position, as shown in Figure 6.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2, it should be noted that the door 48 in its opened position is snpported on the transverse frame member 26 so that should heavy objects be piled upon the opened door it will be supported rather than broken.

In Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, a modified form of keeper plate is illustrated at 58. The keeper plate 58 has an upper central portion carrying upper and u A rivet 62 extends through the longitudinal frame member 30 and is provided with a rounded inner head 63 which is adapted to cooperate with the conical bore 61 to latch the door 48 in closed position.

The structure of the modification illustrated 1n Figures 8 and 9 concerns only the keeper plate 58 and the latch rivet 62, the remaining portions thereof being identical to that set forth in the preferred form of the invention.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it v should be understood. that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to in addition to those shown without departing from the scope of the appended claim.l

What is claimed is:

In a chicken coop of the type having an access opening normally closed by a door having sliding and swinging movement toward its closed position, automatic latching means for said door comprising a cam latch xedly mounted on said body adjacent to one edge of said access opening, said door having a bore in one edge thereof, a U-shaped keeper plate extending into said bore, said U-shaped keeper plate including a pair of spaced parallel legs integrally connected by a` bight with said bight positioned innermost in said bore and a wing integrally formed on the end of each of said legs opposite said bight, each of said wings being outwardly reverted to lie in spaced generally parallel relation to said legs, said wings and said legs engaging over and clamping portions of said frame member therebetween to secure said keeper on said frame member, said cam latch engaging said keeper plate during closing movement of said door and being received between said keeper plate legs when said door is in closed position, and spring means biasing said door and said keeper plate for sliding movement of said door toward its closed position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 478,930 Ewert July 12, 1892 538,421 Johnston Apr. 30, 1895 1,424,218 Sherman Aug. 1, 1922 2,296,805 Aylor Sept. 22, 1942 2,552,007 Griflth May 8, 1951 2,568,983 Best Sept. 25, 1951 2,651,815 Aylor Sept. 15, 1953 2,709,615 Barnes et al May 31, 1955 

